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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen @ Liang Court

Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen or commonly known as the Volcano Ramen originated from Osaka, Japan. Known for their tonkotsu broth and cooking the ramen in a kazan (volcanic) fashion is quite an interesting style from the tradition. Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen currently has 2 outlets in Singapore, one at Novena Square 2 with the latest outlet that opened in August 2013 at Liang Court.

The Kazan Ramen is served in a preheated 300 degree Celsius stone bowl where all the ingredients have been put inside. At table side, the wait staff will pour the broth into the hot stone and put the red colour lid with a funnel on top to continue cooking. After a minute, take the lid off the stone bowl and stir the vegetables and noodles well. To serve, transfer the noodles and soup into smaller bowl.

A order of the Kazan Ramen comes with a bowl of rice where one can add into the left over soup mixture to make delicious Zousui (soupy rice). Allowing one to enjoy the kazan ramen twice.

Kazan Kaisen Shio 4/5

First we tried the Kazan Kaisen Shio ($15/$18). Kazan ramen uses broader noodle so that it does not get soggy easily. Even thought the broader noodle is used, it still got soggy pretty quickly. My advice is to either finish the ramen as fast as possible or transferred all to the smaller bowl. This is because the hot stone is still continuing cooking the bowl of ramen. I also noticed that kazan ramen uses a lot of vegetables like bean sprouts, cabbages and spring onion compared to the more tradition ramen. I welcomed the generous serving of vegetables. Enhanced with a special blended salt paste with seafood, the broth was surprisingly more refine, not as oily and robust compare to the usual tonkotsu broth from those traditional ramen place.

Kazan Karamiso 4/5

If you prefer spicy ramen, go for the Kazan Karamiso ($15/$18) whereby the tonkotsu broth is enhanced with a special blend of spicy miso paste. While my dining partners preferred it to be spicier I am acceptable to the spicy level. Anyway Japanese food usually are not known for being very hot and fiery. The homemade spicy miso paste definitely was the star elevating the flavours. The char siew on the other hand was a tad dry.

Hot Stone Fried Rice 4/5

Hot Stone Fried Rice 4/5

When the Hot Stone Fried Rice ($6) is served, gave it a good mix before the egg at the bottom got overcooked. Tossed in some chilli flakes if you preferred some fiery kick to the fluffy rice. Each mouthful of fried rice also came with delectable flavoured shredded pork.

Tonkotsu Soup Gyoza 4.2/5

For a different, we tried the Tonkotsu Soup Gyoza ($8 for 6pc) instead of the usual pan fried gyoza. Served in a delightful tonkotsu broth with lots of bean sprouts, the dumpling skin was thin and translucent stuffed with delectable fillings.

Macha Shiratama with Ice Cream 3/5

The Macha Shiratama with Ice Cream ($8) is hugemongous. The huge ice mountain comes with sweetened red beans, mochi and ice cream similar to our local ice kachang. I loved the fact the exterior of the shaved ice is drenched with condensed milk which I could not help going back for more. However the macha syrup was too sweet and lacklustre in the green tea flavour.

I can't say Tonkotsu Kazan is the best ramen in town but they sure have their own unique volcano style ramen selling point as well as their huge servicing which is value for money. I also like the face that their tonkotsu broth does not give me a greasy aftertaste.

Direction:
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit C, F or G. Walk along the river toward Riverside Point direction. Cross the bridge to the other end of the river. Turn left and walk towards Liang Court. Journey time about 7 minutes. [Map]